Tragedy struck on Wednesday evening in Benin City, Edo State following the explosion of a CNG powered vehicle at NIPCO filling station located at Ikpoba Hill, along the Benin-Auchi expressway.
In a viral video making round on social media, the vehicle was scattered while people around the vicinity ran for their dear lives as the loud sound of the explosion created panic among resident in the vicinity.
Three persons who sustained various degree of injuries were said to have been rushed to a private hospital for medical attention.
This is coming on the heels of safety concerns raised about the conversion of petrol-powered vehicles to CNG as advocated for by the Nigerian government .
Reacting to the development on X, the Presidential CNG Initiative while commiserating with the victims noted that the unfortunate incident involved an illegally modified vehicle, adding that safe handling of all hydrocarbon is critical to their safe use.
The statement reads, “The PCNGI commiserate with those injured in this avoidable incident, and thankful that no lives were lost.
“The PCNGI also note that safe handling of all hydrocarbon is critical to their safe use. A close examination of the cylinder in question in Benin City shows it was welded and modified and not an approved for use for CNG.
“The police, regulatory authorities and management of NIPCO are undertaking a painstaking investigation of the incident and we are coordinating with them.
“This incident reiterates the impetus of the PCNGI and our partners on the soon to be launched Nigeria Gas Vehicle Monitoring System at SON, NMDPRA, NADDC and FRSC to tackle any bad actors in the ecosystem that seeks to make this safer, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable source of fueling risky for all.
“We also call on all stakeholders to cooperate with the new system of regulation and ensure full compliance.
“Only accredited conversion centers must be patronized and safe handling of CNG just like petrol ensures safety of all.” The statement concluded.
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